Shenandoah officials have dismantled a deer blind that was set up on a 3-acre wooded parcel of city-owned land.

Shenandoah officials have dismantled a deer blind that was set up on a 3-acre wooded parcel of city-owned land.

Photo: City Of Shenandoah

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Shenandoah officials have dismantled a deer blind that was set up on a 3-acre wooded parcel of city-owned land.

Shenandoah officials have dismantled a deer blind that was set up on a 3-acre wooded parcel of city-owned land.

Photo: City Of Shenandoah

Image 3 of 3

No charges in Shenandoah deer blind investigation

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Authorities will not pursue charges against a suspect questioned in connection with a deer hunting blind found on undeveloped city property in Shenandoah after no evidence was found that deer had actually been killed.

Texas Game Warden Brannon Meinkowsky said Tuesday morning the investigation had reached "a standstill" after authorities questioned a person of interest and examined camera footage found on the scene that revealed no animals had been killed at the site.

"Based on the information we have, (game wardens) and the city of Shenandoah, don't foresee pursuing charges," Meinkowsky said in a phone interview with The Villager. "If other information turns up, then that might change. We interviewed a suspect and collected the hunting paraphernalia."

Meinkowsky said the suspect told authorities he "just wanted to watch deer."

On March 28, the topic regarding the deer blind came up during a discussion at a Shenandoah City Council meeting. City public works officials told council members that city employees had discovered the hunting gear-a hunting stand, multiple motion-sensor activated game cameras and a feeder with corn in it-on a 3-acre parcel of land after they were sent out to investigate illegal trash dumping

The suspect's name is not being released, Meinkowsky said, adding that authorities are confident no deer had been shot after also speaking with local deer processors who have all said they have had no contact with the man.

Debbie Pilcher, a communications specialist with Shenandoah, said the investigation into the deer blind had been closed.

"The blind/feeder are dismantled," Pilcher said. "The cameras are currently in the possession of the game warden but will be returned to the city."

The case was noteworthy, Meinkowsky said, because the blind was found "so far out of deer season," which, according to information from the Texas Parks & Wildlife, ends at the end of January.

A county ordinance prohibits the discharge of a firearm inside an area less than 10 acres in size that is inside an incorporated city.

Shenandoah Assistant Police Chief Barry Gresham told The Villager recently public works employees found the hunting gear several weeks ago after residents of the area had complained to city officials about an abundance of rodents emerging from undeveloped, wooded property.

The specific piece of land the hunting set up was on was not disclosed.